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Sunday, June 29, 2008

Well, my aunt-in-law was looking for a baby shower present that was made of organic materials and couldn't find something suitable, so she hired me to make her a present. The only appropriate line I could find was Michael Miller organics. I bought some terrycloth, gingham and herringbone fabric at a local fabric store. Here's the result:The complete basket

The nursing cover came from a tutorial I found online. The bibs, washcloths and burp cloths were my own design. Let me tell you, that terry was NOT easy to work with! Since I was sewing the woven gingham onto the stretchy terry, disaster happened initially. Then I smartened up.

Here are some Tips for sewing with terry:1. Cut out the piece of terry you need.2. Run a gathering stitch around the perimeter of the shape. If it's a large shape, you might want to stop and start the gathers periodically to make them more manageable. 3. The gathering stitch process will stretch out the terry. Use the threads from the gathers to pull the terry back into shape. Sew on your binding!

The aunt-in-law wanted me to set up a business to sell this line of products, so I settled for an etsy shop. I now have an etsy shop: organicstitches.etsy.com. This will be an exclusively organic shop. If it goes okay, I might expand my line ;) . So, if you know someone in need of an organic baby item, send them my way!

Lots of interesting things happened this week/weekend, including an addition to my sewing menagerie and a new non-living addition to my home. I'll be blogging about them soon!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

My Never list is pretty extensive. Most of them are the general "good girl" nevers (never had cigarettes, drugs, alcohol etc.). I have a few that are pretty different though.

Never:Had Soda (of any kind)Had CoffeeSwornColored my hairHad a boyfriend other than my husbandWorn contactsBeen to South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, or Antarctica

I have:Flown in a biplane.... as in loops, dives, and twirls and "Oh, you must wear a parachute in order to get in the plane. We're not going to tell you HOW TO USE the parachute, but you have to wear one!"

Shot a gun.... not at anything living though. My husband suggested I bring scrapbook paper to shoot at, so I have lovely flowered paper with a couple bullet holes in it. How's that for quaint and quirky?? I wasn't very good at the gun, but it was pretty fun. Shocking, but fun.

Been horseback riding in Jamaica.... Another one where there wasn't a lot of explanation on how to USE THE HORSE. Here's your horse, you're going to sit bareback on him and he's going in the water with a herd of horses. I actually came very VERY close to falling off the horse in the water and being trampled by other horses. Shudder. Would do it again though!

Been to Europe...... on my honeymoon. It was great. I hadn't had McDonald's in over 10 years, but I ate it TWICE in France. It was either pay $100 for duck or $6 for a hamburger. Since duck didn't sound appealing and neither did $100, I opted for the Mickey D's! I could have eaten Nutella crepes for every meal though.....I want to know other people's nevers and haves. Share with me something you have NEVER done and what you HAVE done!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The first official summer project is a trio of totes that someone hired me to create. I find totes invaluable, since I can hardly go somewhere without needing to move in. I carry projects, books, magazines, and other entertainment with me everywhere!

Here are the totes and, for continuity's sake, some cute pockets to go along with them!Amy Butler fabric for the top and I forget for the bottom.

Amy Butler for the top and bottom.

Please ignore the hideous thread in this picture. I assure you that the quality control team (me) took care of this later!

Alexander Henry fabric for the top and bottom - purchased at Joanns. This is a rarity for me, because often times I like fabric at Joann's, but don't find it "fashionable." I found this quite alluring!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Today was my first official day of summer vacation. As a teacher, it's kind of something for which you live. I refer to myself during the summer as "Summer Keri" like I'm some sort of vacation super hero. Summer Keri is relaxed, carefree, and fulfilled because she can explore things that interest her whenever she wants. In the past she has had a clean car and bedroom. This summer, her goal is clean house. She has time, she has energy. She has plans. She has projects.

Certainly, during the rest of the year, I undertake creative projects too. It's just that something is always hanging over my head - papers to correct, emails to parents to write, bulletin boards to cut out. When I do something creative, it's generally with a little guilt. I've tried my best this year to not feel the guilt and I think I did a good job. I'm just so relieved to have freedom for the whole summer. I also get to babysit a little baby who is only a few months old, so I'm looking forward to that as well.

SO this summer will mean lots of projects, lots of sewing, lots of blogging. I can't wait!

In honor of my summer vacation, I'll post some pictures I took in Jamestown, Rhode Island this past weekend. The people on the boat know how to do summer!

Rules:Link to the person that tagged you, post the rules somewhere in your meme, answer the questions, tag six people in your post, let the tagees know they’ve been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog, let the tagger know your entry is posted.

Who is your all-time favorite author and why?Ah.... I'm going to have to be completely unoriginal and go with Jane Austen. Her writing is just so timeless. I can pick up any of her novels, open to any point, and read away. Of course, I like to reread the "good parts" (translation: most romantic) over and over again. I find a new quote, detail, or piece of wittiness each time I read. Here's a good one from Emma:"While he spoke, Emma's mind was most busy, and, with all the wonderful velocity of thought, had been able -- and yet without losing a word -- to catch and comprehend the exact truth of the whole..." I love the term "velocity of thought."

Who was your first favorite author and why? Do you still consider him/her to be among your favorites? He he he.... Ann M. Martin. I was a HUGE Babysitter's Club fan. Kristy, Mary Anne, Stacey, Claudia, Dawn, Mallory, Jessi, and the adorable Logan! These books actually gave me lots of babysitting ideas and I made my "living" babysitting for many, many years. (I still am!) Ann M. Martin also wrote a book called Ten Kids, No Pets which I loved. She has since become an Newbury Award winner and I enjoyed A Corner of the Universe as well. I could definitely pick up one of her books again. So, yes!

Who is the most recent addition to your list of favorite authors, and why?David McCullough is my most recent addition. I began "reading" his books as audio versions while I did other things. I'm now a huge fan of the equitable, honest, fascinating manner that he enlivens history.If someone asked you who your favorite authors were right now, which authors would first pop out of your mouth? Charles Dickens, Edith Wharton, Lois Lowry, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lee Strobel, Avi, David McCullough, and Jane Austen

Monday, June 2, 2008

Here are the bags I've made lately. I found a design I liked, then I found a tutorial on the Internet at Belle Epoque Whimsy.

I was able to fulfill my own fabric buying desires while making presents at the same time!

The first is my mother-in-law's bag made with Anna Griffin fabric:Cute pocket - I'm into cute pockets and other special details right now.

I didn't get a picture of my mom's bag, but it's the same design, with orange, turquoise, and brown Amy Butler fabric with a striped interior and polka dot trim.

Then I needed one too, of course! I did buy my own fabric at the same time, but I used money gained by selling some Red Sox tickets that we couldn't use, so I was still within the spending rules (in my mind anyway, and since the punishment is self-inflicted, it's all good!) .

The fabric for my bag is Amy Butler throughout.

I chose the bags because the theme of our church's Mother's Day luncheon was purses. It was a cute event, from a purse runway show to purse shaped desserts! Great Girly Fun!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Well, I'm quite far into my self-inflicted spending punishment. More is explained here. (Read if you spend too much money at the evil Joanns! - or any fabric/craft store)

I have to say that I've done surprisingly well at not spending money, especially in the fabric arena. However, I found a fantastic way to stick to my goal and still buy fabric - it's called Mother's Day presents. If my camera was cooperating, this blog post was supposed to be about those presents, but when the battery charges, I'm all over it.

I digress. I need to make it until June 12th before I spend money again. Needless to say, that means I'm getting the shopping itch. Or.... the shopping poison ivy. SO, I've decided to post some great shopping links so maybe I can live vicariously through others!

Strangely, I don't think I've actually bought anything from many of these shops, I use them for inspiration or future inspiration!

www.bodenusa.comFun, whimsical clothing for adults and children. Love to look at their skirts and dresses.

Boden skirt

AnthropologieThis store used to fit my personal style impeccably. Now it's a little more bohemian eclectic than I prefer. Still, they have great inspirational pieces and their prices inspire me to sit at the sewing machine!! Their housewares and aprons are very neat as well. I have shopped at this website/store.

Anthropologie apron

Olive JuiceAdorable children's clothing. Classic lines and styles.

Olive Juice skirt... how adorable is that?

Oliver + SThis is a pattern line I saw in a fabric store and fell in love with. I love classic styles for children, especially 30s/40s/50s styles.